Sumo

Tobizaru Upsets Yokozuna Hopeful Kotozakura at New Year Basho

The No 2 maegashira used a superb hand pull-down to send the ozeki to his second straight loss at the 15-day New Year Basho in Tokyo.

by
Jim Armstrong
January 15, 2025

Sumo's Flying Monkey Tobizaru pulled off a spectacular upset of ozeki Kotozakura on Tuesday, January 14, the third day of the New Year Basho.

Kotozakura, who won the previous basho in November 2024, pushed Tobizaru back but the No 2 maegashira shifted to his side at the edge and used a perfectly timed hand pull-down to send the stunned ozeki toppling off the raised ring.

It was the second victory over an ozeki for Tobizaru, who defeated Onosato on the opening day and improved to 2-1.

"I've been able to concentrate well so far in this tournament," Tobizaru said. "It's a definite boost to my confidence to beat two ozeki and I will continue to fight my brand of sumo."

It was a tough loss for yokozuna-promotion chasing Kotozakura, who dropped to 1-2 with his second straight loss. He will need to turn things around fast to keep his promotion hopes alive.

Yokozuna Terunofuji Raises New Year Basho Record to 2-1

In the day's final bout at Ryogoku Kokugikan, grand champion Terunofuji shoved out Mongolian compatriot Kirishima to win his second straight bout and improve to 2-1.

Top maegashira Kirishima has yet to post a win and dropped to 0-3.

In other major bouts at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament, ozeki Onosato dodged a bullet when he was pushed out by Takanosho. But Onosato prevailed as the top maegashira stepped out with his left foot before Onosato fell out.

Onosato improved to 2-1 with the frontal push-out win. Takanosho fell to 0-3.

Ozeki Hoshoryu barely broke a sweat when he used a frontal thrust-out to send komusubi Wakatakakage backpedaling out over the edge in a matter of seconds.

Hoshoryu is one of eight wrestlers tied for the early lead in the 15-day tournament at 3-0.

Mongolian Hoshoryu is also chasing promotion to yokozuna after finishing runner-up in the previous tournament and has looked convincing so far.

After beating Terunofuji on the opening day, Wakatakakage has lost two in a row and stands at 1-2.

Daieisho Heaps More Misery on Shodai

Sekiwake Daieisho maintained his share of the early lead when he unleashed a barrage of arm thrusts to the upper body of former ozeki Shodai to improve to 3-0.

Fourth-ranked maegashira Shodai is off to a sluggish start and dropped to 0-3.

Third-ranked maegashira Oho continued his impressive start to the New Year Basho with a convincing thrust-down win over sekiwake Wakamotoharu (1-2) to move to 3-0.

Komusubi Abi, who pulled off a big upset of Kotozakura on the previous day, swatted down winless No 2 maegashira Atamifuji to improve to 2-1.

In a battle of up-and-coming rank-and-filers, 2024 Spring Basho winner Takerufuji made it three straight wins in a row with a push-out win over Onokatsu, who dropped to 1-2.

Veteran grappler Tamawashi, a 10th-ranked maegashira, also made it a perfect 3-0 when he deployed a barrage of arm thrusts to the neck and upper body of No 11 Midorifuji, who was handed his second loss.

Rank-and-filers Kinbozan, Hakuoho and Chiyoshoma also remained tied for the lead at 3-0 after winning their bouts on the third day of competition.

Author: Jim Armstrong
The author is a longtime journalist who has covered sports in Japan for over 25 years. You can find his articles on SportsLook.